Self-building: the future's all planned out

Once the preserve of architectural cranks, millionaires and zealots, taking the DIY route to home ownership is on the increase in Britain. Malcolm Moore speaks to the self-builders-in-waiting before the work begins

RUSSELL HARRIS, 44, is a television presenter and producer, who made the Diceman travelogue series. He is married to Jannette, 32, and they have two children, James, 12, and Sophie, 6. The Harrises are converting and extending a Grade-II listed, 1870 water tower in Lymm, Cheshire, into a modern, family home. The build is scheduled to begin next month, and will hopefully be completed by early next year.

Thirst for adventure: Russell Harris
prepares for his ambitious conversion
of a water tower in Cheshire

The project revolves around a partnership with four mobile phone operators, who will use the top level of the tower to mount telecommunication masts. This has caused some problems among local residents.

"I have lived in Lymm for about 16 years now. I used to walk my dog along the footpath by the side of the tower, and I tried to buy it off the water board. So when it came on the market five years ago, I impulsively put in a bid of £138,000, without expecting it to be accepted. BT were already using the tower for a phone mast, so several of the other bidders saw the tower as an investment.

"Back then, we had just finished renovating a farmhouse that we bought from the Co-op in Warburton. That project was very much hands-on. I mixed paints, built walls, and dug the garden. The water-tower project is completely different. I'm acting as a manager because we've had so much trouble with the finance, the planning, and the actual design of the house. When we were first considering the project, five years ago, we estimated the cost of the build at £75,000. The last time I looked at the quantity surveyor's report, the figure had risen to £827,000, so you can imagine the problems I have faced.

Expensive project: the work, including an annexe
at the base of the tower, will be partly
funded by mobile phone companies

"I don't understand how you can go to an architect and give him your budget, and then get back something which will cost twice as much. The project was close to collapsing so many times, but each time, we just managed to save it.

"We've raised the money through mortgages, bank loans, and the mobile phone companies. It's a case of talking to people and persuading them to take an interest in what we are trying to achieve. Our new architects, Ellis Williams, and our construction firm, Redrow, have invested so much time and energy into the project above the call of duty.

"I also managed to persuade Kate Wilkins, who did the lighting for Tate Modern, to design the lighting concept for the building.

"It's my obsession now. I haven't worked for a couple of years because I'm pursuing my vision. It's been such a struggle that I will open the Champagne as soon as we start the build in March, because there can't be anything more to go wrong that hasn't already.

'It's my obsession': the water tower
being converted by Russell Harris

"The involvement from the four mobile phone companies is vital. I've read about the possible health risks, especially for my children, and I've just had to take a view. I also have a flexible contract in case there are any health warnings in the future.

"Some residents have raised a petition against the structure that will house the masts, which will look like sand-blasted glass, with panels of copper to hide the wiring. But I've been very open with my neighbours, and I hope that it will all be resolved. [Planning consent has now been given.] There is a lot of development in Lymm at the moment, which has led to a more conservative feeling among villagers.

"The transmitter units that they have in the top floor will actually heat the whole house during winter. We're going to fit heat exchangers so that they are cool while they keep us warm.

"If I wanted to be flippant, I would advise other self-builders not to put themselves through it. Sometimes I wish we had never bought the tower. But I have to follow my vision, and when it's finished, the house will be amazing. I feel that I'm giving the community something special. The tower will be a real landmark for Lymm."

For more information, visit: http://www.lymmwatertower.com

Source: The Telegraph 09/02/2002